She glanced at Clarence and shuddered inside at the last part. After spending time with Michael, the thought of being married for the rest of her life to someone who thought so little of her, angered and frightened at the same time.
Everyone started talking at once. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Michael strolling back to their group, hands in his pockets. Her spirits picked up to have him on her side. She didn’t have to handle everything on her own.
“I’ve made my decision. I will stay here for at least a month.” She raised her chin, but shook so badly on the inside, her anxiety had to be noticeable to the rest of them. Never in all her twenty-three years had she defied her parents’ wishes. Never had she sp
oken up to Mrs. Manfred, or to Clarence either. Beads of sweat gathered on her upper lip. She swiped at it, and stood.
“Now if you will excuse me, I need to return home-my home here-and get some sleep.”
Clarence rose, and even though he spoke to Heidi, glared at Michael. “I will escort you home.”
“I have my buggy outside, and since the night air isn’t good for Miss Lester, I will drive her home.” Michael pulled on his gloves.
Clarence’s hands were fisted at his side, and his cheeks bright red. “Since Miss Lester is my fiancée, I will come along for the ride.”
Michael nodded. “If you wish.” He turned in the direction of the others still seated, stunned expressions on their faces. “Mr. Lester, Mrs. Lester, Mrs. Manfred. Have a pleasant evening.”
Heidi bit her lip to keep from laughing. She had one month. Time enough to convince them she could take care of herself. She pecked her parents on the cheek. “Mother, Papa, I will see you in a month.”
“Not so fast, little girl.” Her papa stopped her as she turned to leave. “If you insist in this foolishness, your mother and I will stay right here in Guthrie until you come to your senses.”
“As will I.” Mrs. Manfred added, nodding her head once.
Clarence took her arm, and patted her hand. “You can expect to see me on Friday evenings, after I’ve finished my work week.”
Heidi groaned. Everyone checking up on her didn’t fall in with her plans. The whole thing had become a three-ring circus.
Chapter Six
Clarence pushed the batwing door of the saloon open and stepped up to the bar. “Whiskey,” he called out to the bartender, busy at the other end flirting with one of Miss Lizzy’s girls. He tossed his money on the bar and tapped his fingers on the worn wood. The entire situation irked. What the hell had happened to the girl? She’d always been so meek and accommodating, the main reason he’d agreed to marry her.
When Mr. Lester had approached him a while back with the proposition to marry Heidi, and take ownership of his lucrative businesses, the idea seemed perfect. Clarence would pay Lester a healthy stipend each month, but the rest of the profits were his-to provide well for his daughter, Lester emphasized.
Clarence had worked for one of Lester’s businesses for seven years and hated the day in and day out routine. He wanted more from life. He wanted a big house, servants, an accommodating mistress, exotic travel, good whiskey. Those things would never come to him on a working man’s salary. As the owner of several profitable businesses, he could have everything he dreamed of.
Although Heidi Lester had a beautiful face and a fine, although delicate, figure, she held no appeal for him. Mousy, no backbone. Lester had made him agree to have a marriage in name only. He and his wife didn’t want their little girl to suffer the burden of a man’s attentions and the resulting pregnancies, which worked well for Clarence. Visions of her coughing and wheezing her head off as he attempted to bed her, squelched any desire on his part to have the girl. Plenty of women would be more than willing to accommodate him.
Now with his dreams so close, the little twit had to grow a backbone. But he knew where her backbone had come from-Michael Henderson. Why the man had any interest in Heidi remained a mystery. Unless he knew of her father’s businesses, and that Heidi’s husband would benefit enormously. Life must be mighty dreary working in a store every day, dealing with customer complaints about their illnesses. If he thought to assume Clarence’s place, Henderson could forget it. Clarence wasn’t setting his little gold mine free.
The young whore-he didn’t remember her name even though she’d told him numerous times-sidled up to him and pressed her breasts against his arm. “I’ve been waitin’ for ya, Clarence.”
“Have you now?” He gulped a shot of whiskey, and patted her bottom, leaving his hand there to massage and pinch.
She smiled a sultry grin. “Ya wanna go upstairs?”
He grabbed the whiskey bottle and waved in the direction of the steps. “Lead the way.”
Tomorrow he would deal with Miss Lester. Most irritating and inconvenient, to race back and forth between Oklahoma City and Guthrie to ensure Henderson didn’t usurp his place.
He tucked his hand inside the whore’s bodice and tweaked her nipple as she ascended the stairs ahead of him. “I got something to put a smile on your face.”
“Me too,” she giggled, and opened the door to her small room.
****
Michael looked up from the various jars and bottles in front of him at the sound of the doorbell. Mr. and Mrs. Lester entered, with Mrs. Manfred on their heels. He sighed to himself and continued to work, taking furtive glances at his employee as the three approached the counter where she arranged packages of tobacco.
“Heidi, dear. Did you have breakfast this morning?” Mrs. Lester patted her daughter’s cheek as Mr. Lester stood behind her, arms crossed, glaring at Michael.